BREAKTIME equals playtime for the pupils at Edenfield Primary School as the finishing touches to their transformed playground finally fall into place.

The school, in Market Street, has spent thousands creating the new play area at the bottom of the school field and received a £250 boost from BT to complete the project.

Since the work began last October, a sensory garden filled with flowers and plants has been created, along with a netball court, playground, paths, benches and a safety bar for disabled access.

The money was donated via Glenys Seaton, who works for BT Global Services, as part of the BT Community Champions award scheme. The scheme is open to BT employees actively involved in a local group or charity organisation for more than 12 months. Grants of up to £500 can be applied for and used to buy equipment or as a contribution towards a particular project.

Glenys, who lives in Rawtenstall, has been involved with Edenfield Primary for 12 years after her three children attended and has been secretary and chairman of the PTA. She said: "All the schools in the valley are really blessed with having fantastic play areas and hillside views and the transformation is just fantastic."

The school had hoped to have the new play area completed before Christmas but were deterred by bad weather. Headteacher Janet Reidy now hopes the playground will be completed next week and ready for the youngsters to use in spring. She said: "It looks fantastic and we will be having an official opening ceremony when the weather is a bit better and I am sure that the children will enjoy it to its full potential in the spring."